12/28/09

Saturday afternoon RB and I drove to the Eastern neighborhood of Beverly, originally the Town of Beverly until it amalgamated with Edmonton in 1961.

RB's grandmother lived in the area during the last decade of her life and we wanted to find her apartment as well as revisit Raymond's childhood haunts. It's an interesting community, definitely has a small-town feel and we appreciated the fact that, though Boxing day, we were hard pressed to find a business open. So strange to see this little neighborhood nestled between the river, the Trans-Canada highway, and the refineries of Petroleum Way. Perfectly beautiful in it's own dishevelled manner.

Oh, and ps. Tyson's grill (aka the Crest Dining Room, 3414-118 ave) is having a meatless Ukrainian buffet on January 6th (though you might want to double check on the date).

12/21/09

Saturday night was the annual Borchert holiday party and, though I nearly didn't attend, I gave in around 11, hopped on the LRT & headed over to Studio E for a few hours.

Now it's Monday and I'm feeling too lazy and busy to edit this lump of photos so I'm just going to post a whole bunch (if you want me to take any down just let me know.) And anyway, it's nice to see so many smiling faces of friends who maybe aren't in town much anymore.

Thanks for another great time Sean et al, your efforts are much appreciated.

12/20/09

Saturday RB and I ran around town, went to the farmer's market, picked up gifts and purchased food. I've been eating so much lately, it's officially at the point where I can't sit comfortably unless I undo the top button on my jeans (damn you high-waisted jeans!) I love December but it friggin' kills me every year. Somehow, despite this, I do little to regulate my caloric intake as soon as my birthday rolls around. Is it so bad that I forgo real friendships for wine & chevre (hello, lovers)? I'll return to normal in January, promise.

This afternoon we made mini lentil & carmelized onion galettes. RB helped with the chopping and tasting and taking out the compost and I made him a special tart with an "R" on top for his efforts. Most of the cooking was for the Elliot dinner tomorrow, some was just for fun. In the end it was kindof a perfect afternoon.

12/19/09

Okay so I know Ryan Gosling's little band is old news, but I still can't get over this song, not to mention the video for it. I am mesmerized by the children's choir dressed in Halloween costumes, the band's Johnny Cash/mid-Nineteenth century western style, and the raw, one-shot cinematography. The embrace of southern American spirit melded with innocence and death is something I am so fascinated by. I would love someday to travel down to the deep south of the States and walk amongst the decomposing, quiet graves of towns that are both untouched and also fundamentally different from the times of war and slavery and agriculture that so defined the South as a people unto themselves. The lonely, introverted leader walks thoughtfully among strangers, always listening, teaching and learning -- touched by this showing of love and fellow artistry more than anyone could ever know. Bringing others together through one's own separation, there's a need for love in the world that is stronger than personal feelings or tragedy -- it's a protest against alienation. Simultaneously a lullaby, a gospel prayer, a farewell, an homage to the dead and a love song. Watching this, I feel I understand something greater than the lyrics could convey; it's quirky, but I think there's honesty and caring hidden there underneath the gimmick of ghosts and ghouls. Maybe.

12/18/09

In what has seemingly become an annual tradition, Nokomis hosted it's Christmas karaoke party Thursday night. Here's a list of the songs I butchered:

Highschool Confidential (this one was actually ok - it was still early in the night)It's Still Rock and Roll to MeDon't Stop Belivin'Kiss Me DeadlyBand on the RunI Would Do Anything for LoveBohemian Rhapsody (complete with costume change)Mama Look a Boo BooSomewhere Over the Rainbow

I know I'm forgetting some. Yeah, so I basically hogged the mic a lot, old news. You don't fill a Hudson with 5 pilsners and expect them to sit quietly, not this Hudson anyway.